Roughing the “Rough-In”

When replacing a toilet, make sure your new fixture fits the old space. One of the most common mistakes that rookie renovators make is forgetting to measure the “rough-in” size—that's the distance between the toilet’s bolt caps on the floor and the finished wall. The standard measurement is 12 inches, but in some older homes it could be 10 or even 14 inches. Always measure beforehand so you can be sure to purchase a toilet that will fit, and save yourself a whole lot of trouble in the process.